4, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, reacts during the third round of the U.S. Open tennis championships against Wu Yibing, of China, Friday, Sept.
US Open players could be hit with a $50,000 fine if they fail to fulfil one of the tournament’s lesser-known requirements, and the obligation can continue even after their hopes of winning the title are over. players also have contractual responsibilities away from the court While the focus at Flushing Meadows is naturally on the matches and the record-breaking prize money on offer. One of those is attending the required media opportunities after each match.
Players are required to attend post-match media opportunities at an appropriate and reasonable time following the conclusion of each match, according to page 49 of the Official Grand Slam Rulebook . 4, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) Williams avoided a fine, however, after a quote attributed to her was released following the match.
So, in practical terms, a player cannot simply lose a match and decide they would rather skip the questions before heading home. The media commitments remain part of their responsibilities throughout the tournament, including after elimination. At Wimbledon in July, Serena Williams chose not to attend her mandatory post-match press conference following her first-round defeat to Maya Short. The All England Club determined that her decision not to attend was reasonable and that she had satisfied some of her media obligations by providing a response. Venus Williams, right, and Serena Williams, of the United States, fist bump as they play against Hao-Ching Chan, of Taiwan, and Maya Joint, of Australia, during a women’s doubles match at the U.S. Open tennis championships, Friday, Sept.
That means losing a match does not necessarily mean a player can simply pack their bags and leave.